Matarani - Mollendo & Mejia
During this excursion, we will visit the resort community of Mollendo for a panoramic town tour. Afterwards, we head to the Mejia Lagoon, a national sanctuary and home to 141 species of birds.
- Tour the seaside resort community of Mollendo
- Visit Mejia Lagoon sanctuary
- Go on a birding tour
- Identify as many of the sanctuary’s 141 bird species as possible
We depart the pier and travel to Mollendo, located on the south-western coast of Peru just south of Matarani. This is a resort community with three sandy beaches stretching along the coast. We go on a panoramic tour of the town.
Next, we drive to the Mejia Lagoon sanctuary, one of the best places in Peru to go on a birding tour. Situated at the mouth of Tambo River, Mejia Lagoon was declared a national sanctuary in 1984 and is considered one of the most important places along the entire Peruvian coastline for observing migratory birds.
It is possible to find 141 species of birds at Mejia Lagoon. Some 84 of the species are full-time Peruvian coast residents while the other 57 species are migratory birds that can only be found here at certain times of the year. Of the migratory species, 17 come to Mejia from other parts of Peru, 4 from other South American countries, and 34 from North America.
Practical information
- Language: English / German (Subject to Availability)
- Remarks: We recommend bringing sun protection, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes and insect repellent.
- Walking information: Some walking on slightly uneven or paved terrain required.
- Wheelchair accessible: No
